Apple Tablet Aiming to "Redefine Print"

We know quite a bit about Apple's tablet – that is, quite a bit seeing as how the company hasn't even said they're going to release one. We know how much it's going to cost (between $800 and $1,000) and we know when it's going to hit the market (very early 2010, possibly February but with shipments arriving at Apple in December '09). We also know who's providing the displays (Wintek), and we know who's got the contract for batteries (apparently DynaPack is supplying 300,000 long lasting battery packs a month for the device). Add to that a processor from Apple's own P.A. Semi and HSPDA and you get a pretty rounded out picture of what Apple is going to come up with.

However, what we don't know, is who Apple is going to target with the device. Is it really going to be one giant iPod Touch or is it going to be more of a netbook? Then again, could it be Apple's answer to the Kindle? Well, if this week's rumors are to be believed then Apple's tablet is going to redefine print.

According to Gizmodo's Brian Lam, Apple is currently in talks with several media companies rooted in print. According to Lam, these negotiations revolve around, "content for a 'new device.' And they're not just going for e-books and mags. They're aiming to redefine print."

Giz goes on to cite sources from the New York Times who say the company is in talks with Apple, and says the company is also talking to McGraw Hill and Oberlin Press who are working with Apple to move textbooks to iTunes.

Sounds a lot like the Kindle DX to us, what with newspapers and textbook publishers jumping on board. Check out the full story here.

@njkid: you lack vision. This is apple here. They could slap their logo on a brick, charge $500, and sell millions to idiots who buy anything labeled as Apple, regardless of what it does or how well it does it. Then they find out the brick's battery can't be replaced, and complain on the forums. Apple deletes the forum entries with the complaints, and the people who complained forget there was ever a problem, and line up to buy to new iBrick 2.0, which is the same as the first iBrick, but only costs $400 this time.

@njkid: you lack vision. This is apple here. They could slap their logo on a brick, charge $500, and sell millions to idiots who buy anything labeled as Apple, regardless of what it does or how well it does it. Then they find out the brick's battery can't be replaced, and complain on the forums. Apple deletes the forum entries with the complaints, and the people who complained forget there was ever a problem, and line up to buy to new iBrick 2.0, which is the same as the first iBrick, but only costs $400 this time.

hellwig@njkid: you lack vision. This is apple here. They could slap their logo on a brick, charge $500, and sell millions to idiots who buy anything labeled as Apple, regardless of what it does or how well it does it. Then they find out the brick's battery can't be replaced, and complain on the forums. Apple deletes the forum entries with the complaints, and the people who complained forget there was ever a problem, and line up to buy to new iBrick 2.0, which is the same as the first iBrick, but only costs $400 this time.

i understand where you are coming from but my comment was meant for limited adoption with people with a brain and not by mindless drones.

I think that's a little skewed. Eveything has it's problems, but some companies have a different idea of innovation. I doubt they are just throwing around the idea of a kindle like device but rather a tablet like device with an integrated ereader. I think you need to stop coining consumers as idiots.

hellwig@njkid: you lack vision. This is apple here. They could slap their logo on a brick, charge $500, and sell millions to idiots who buy anything labeled as Apple, regardless of what it does or how well it does it. Then they find out the brick's battery can't be replaced, and complain on the forums. Apple deletes the forum entries with the complaints, and the people who complained forget there was ever a problem, and line up to buy to new iBrick 2.0, which is the same as the first iBrick, but only costs $400 this time.

NegativeX4 years too late Apple.With the Samsung Q1, Motion LS800 and subsequent clones, there's not much left except a few scrap pieces for Apple too mop up. Should of re-released the Newton years ago aye?The only thing Apple with be redefining, is your pocket book and their subsequent Apple tax.

No, Apple fanatics will find a way to explain how all of these precursors actually copied Apple's product. Just wait...

Looks sorta like s large iPod touch, centered heavily on entertainment (don't forget games!). It will be the perfect size for ebooks, and even a good size for etextbooks (esp with color scree). The Kindle etexbook experiment has flopped for many reasons, but I bet if you put etextbooks on a large ipod-esque tablet computer you'll have a winner. All that stuff into something as thick as one of the early-generation iPod classics (10GB?) weighing a half pound or so.

Stop hating on Apple because they might do it first. Someone else will come out with the same thing later next year that YOU can afford (then you'll applaud it). Besides, I know all of you love your overpriced iPods.

etichiI wish people on this forum would grow a pair and state " I don't like Apple because I just don't like them" Don't give me this bullshit Apple tax. Tell me, do you look at a person wearing a Rolex, Omega, or some other fine Swiss watch and say "What a fucking idiot. Damn what a douche. He could of got a Timex." The real reason you don't like Apple is that it has become "cool" to not like them. But at least grow a pair and just state it simply, I don't like them because I have nothing else to do.

Haha, I did that yesterday at someone wearing an Omega. I guess that means I can stick with my belief that Apple is ridiculous because of their prices, more commonly called 'The Apple Tax'.

etichiI wish people on this forum would grow a pair and state " I don't like Apple because I just don't like them" Don't give me this bullshit Apple tax. Tell me, do you look at a person wearing a Rolex, Omega, or some other fine Swiss watch and say "What a fucking idiot. Damn what a douche. He could of got a Timex." The real reason you don't like Apple is that it has become "cool" to not like them. But at least grow a pair and just state it simply, I don't like them because I have nothing else to do.

No. I'm pretty sure everyone here has valid reasons for hating Apple; a few of them, hellwig said already (if you didn't read).Here are some of mine:1. Apple is a closed company. They control what their products can do and what they can't do. In essence, they limit technology.2. Apple loves to invent their own proprietary means instead of using industry standards. 3. Apple charges ridiculous amounts of money for products that are no better than the competitions (in many cases, worse).4. Apple touts themselves as the leader and innovator of the industry, yet all of their products are old technology.5. Apple continues to mislead the public with their ad campaign.6. Apple represents censorship. They tell you what to do with their products when, and how many options you have to do it with. The rest of the industry is free and gives you...choices!

You're comparing a computer to a piece of jewelry. That's not what a computer is - it's meant to do work (and have fun). Is somehow a Rolex better than a Timex just because it has 6x it's cost? Last time I checked, they both told time. The Timex probably has more features, too.

You may hold your Macbook Pro on the streetcorner with your Rolex on your wrist and think you're "cool", but I just think you're an idiot wasting money. Buying "pretty" things doesn't make you smart, or cool. I don't like Apple because I prefer to have a choice on what I do with my computer, and I prefer not to pay $2000 for it, either.

This is a kindle on steroids and while Apple charges more, their products are top notch. It's an iPod for print, with content designed for it (like iTunes LP) and interactive textbooks/newspapers etc. that could be great.

For $800, too much....

But of course, that is just ONE aspect of the tablet. Videos, internet, tablet drawing, iPhone apps, and large screen form iPhone style apps, etc. - there are a lot of uses here that could really encroach on a lot of other products. With Apple's soft keyboard it could be a serious competitor to netbooks with a data bundle discount (rumored via verizon).

This will take a chunk out of the tablet market. The attached drawing pads (rumored to connect with macbooks). Netbooks. The Kindle. Portable DVD players. GPS devices. This could be used from pizza delivery to UPS/FedEx.

its already known that several other companies where already thinking of a way to make colored digital ink. there's nothing new with that. if apple comes out with a good product good on them. i just want to see genuine innovation. if there going to make claims like they did for there mice, ipods and OS then im not going to be interested. i have nothing against apple products i think there well designed and a lot of thought goes into there aesthetic appeal the thing that gripes me the most is there PR campaing and while they continue to advertise the way they do i will continue to look down on them

1. I don't ever recall saying anything about Microsoft. I program on Linux, too. The levels of software built for Linux and Windows are far more than Apple's OSs - they're less open then Microsoft about what they build, especially in terms of hardware capability and compatibility.2. Sure, but what about HDMI? Blu-ray? HDCP? SPDIF? Optical Audio? Expresscard? A simple memory card reader? You won't find any of them on Apple computers.3. I said ridiculous amounts of money relative to competing products. This sets aside any single person's economic situation.4. "Nice" is relative, now - I think Apple's products are the ugliest things. But that's not what I was talking about, anyway.5. Propganda is not a reason to hate? Did you miss that lesson in grade school? I can think of 10 ad campaigns that are a great reason to hate - one that resulted in the loss of millions of lives.6. You buy a song on iTunes, you can only use it on Apple products. You can only play it on iTunes (which really sucks..) You buy OS X, you can only use it on Apple products. You want a new battery? Nope, not serviceable. Have a problem and take it up in Apple's forum? The thread gets deleted. Only applications Apple approves you can download on your phone - and they can pull them off whenever they want.

Yeah, I got the analogy, and you got exactly what I was saying - paying more money for something that does the same thing as something that's cheaper is just dumb. Sure, there are some areas where this doesn't exactly apply due to human nature - but it's a computer, not a luxury item. You're not taking your Macbook down the street checking the time, are you?

I'm not saying people are stupid because they spend money on a Mac. I'm saying people are stupid for spending money on a Mac when there are better, cheaper options available. Why spend money where it isn't necessary? I don't care how much money you have - that doesn't invalidate the fact that wasting money is stupid.